Carl Allamby, owner of two auto-repair shops with 11 employees, had become anxious and desirous of something more. At first, he thought it must have to do with growing his business even further. Therefore, the Ohio resident decided to go for his university’s degree in business management.
After taking classes part-time over the next five years, Allamby was told, unexpectedly, he had to take biology to get his degree. It turned out to be best thing that could have happened. The biology class rekindled a childhood dream that he had put away somewhere deep within himself. “After the first day, I remembered this feeling of wanting to be a doctor back,” Allamby says.
Growing up in a poor African American neighborhood, he faced low expectations and numerous barriers to pursuing his dream. His school didn’t offer the advanced science classes that might have led him on a medical path. Even if it had, doing well in school could prove dangerous—students who brought books back home would always be robbed (抢劫). So he set aside thoughts of becoming a doctor in favor of a more realistic career path—fixing cars.
Years later, a different Carl Allamby, with the support of his wife and family, decided to skip business school in favor of the science classes he’d need for a second career as a health-care worker.
And in 2015, Allamby cut ties with his past, selling his two shops and everything that was in them. Then he started at Northeast Ohio Medical University. At the age of 47, as a medical doctor, he took a job in emergency medicine at Cleveland Clinic Akron General.
“I am told that I shouldn’t be a doctor”, he says. “Whether it’s because of my age, my race, my upbringing or my past career, these are all good reasons why I shouldn’t be here. And yet, here I am.”
1. Why does Carl take business management classes?| A．Because he wants to meet more potential employees. |
| B．Because he wants to be respected by his employees. |
| C．Because he wants to improve his company’s business. |
| D．Because he wants to be qualified for a professor’s job. |
| A．Took on. | B．Pulled over. | C．Put out. | D．Brought back. |
| A．The poor path to his school. | B．The dangerous crimes in Africa. |
| C．Lack of the access to some key courses. | D．Lack of the money to buy advanced textbooks. |
| A．Gifted. | B．Determined. | C．Enthusiastic. | D．Powerful. |
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【推荐1】You should always support your kids and their natural talents. And if you nurture (培育) them, great things will happen. That's what 9-year-old Joe Whale's parents thought when they encouraged their son to keep drawing, even though he got into trouble for doodling (涂鸦) during class.
They sent Joe to an after-school art class and his artistic abilities were quickly noticed by those around him. In fact, Joe was invited to decorate the dining room of the “Number 4” restaurant in Shrewsbury, England. Now, Joe is known as The Doodle Boy and has his own website, as well as social media (媒体) pages showing off his wonderful art.
According to Greg, Joe's dad, his son has always loved drawing and “was added to the Gifted Register in primary school aged 4”. Greg also talked about how long it took Joe to finish his drawings on the dining room walls in the restaurant. “Joe spent about 122 hours decorating the wall.”
What's more, Greg had some suggestions for parents who want to encourage their kids to develop their talent: I would advise parents to encourage their children to always follow their interest and dreams — research local workshops or groups within your local community.
Joe's teacher recognized his talent and posted his work on Instagram. His drawings caught the eye of the “Number 4” restaurant which asked him to come over and decorate their walls with his doodles. Now, his dad drives him there so he can draw his heart out. Who knew that drawing in an after-class program would lead Joe to get his first job at only 9 years old?
1. What did Joe do in his class?| A．He supported other naughty children. | B．He left school to find his parents. |
| C．He decorated the wall. | D．He drew pictures in class. |
| A．Sending children to the local restaurant. | B．Offering support for children's dreams. |
| C．Talking with children's teachers actively. | D．Making children stay at school all day long. |
| A．Joe's works were shown online. | B．Joe's teacher introduced Joe to it. |
| C．Joe was famous in the community. | D．Joe talked about his drawings with it. |
| A．Teachers. | B．Children. | C．Parents. | D．Bosses. |
【推荐2】Robert Jarvik, born on May 11, 1946 in Michigan and raised in Stamford, is a medical scientist and researcher, who played an important role in the invention of the artificial heart. He was interested in medicine from a young age. He watched his father perform operations and gained a patent (专利权) for a machine applied in the medical operation before he graduated from high school.
Jarvik attended Syracuse University and considered a career in art. When his father developed heart disease suddenly, he decided then to work on a medical career. He applied to medical schools, but was not admitted to any schools in the US. Before long, he was admitted to the medical school in Italy and stayed there for two years. He returned to get a degree in medicine from New York University in 1971.
After working for a period of time, Jarvik got a job in the organ transplant (器官移植) program at the University of Utah in 1972. He worked with the director of the program, Willem Kolff, who invented the kidney dialysis (肾透析) machine.
By the time Jarvik came to the University of Utah, the organ program had already developed the primary artificial heart. He improved it by creating a diaphragm (横膈膜), which solved many issues with the heart. Eventually, he created the first artificial heart in 1981, the Jarvik-7, to be placed in a human patient, which was considered one of the most important inventions in human history.
Barney Clark, a retired dentist suffering from serious heart disease, received the Jarvik-7 transplant on December 2, 1982. He lived for 112 days after the operation, but the transplant was considered a success. Though receiving criticism for the risk referred to transplant an artificial heart, the Jarvik-7 still became very important for patients who were waiting for a heart. In 1987, Jarvik moved to New York City and formed Jarvik Research Inc. He began developing a new heart — the Jarvik 2000. This smaller machine fits inside a patient’s heart rather than replacing the entire organ.
1. What method does the writer use to develop the passage?| A．By discussing research experiments. |
| B．By following the natural time order. |
| C．By presenting some research results. |
| D．By comparing opinions from different fields. |
| A．items | B．incidents |
| C．problems | D．debates |
| A．His father developed heart disease suddenly. |
| B．He received a patent for the medical operation. |
| C．He took part in the organ program at the University of Utah. |
| D．He was refused to be admitted to any medical school in the US. |
| A．He invented the kidney dialysis machine. |
| B．He created the first artificial heart in 1981. |
| C．He created a diaphragm to fit inside a patient’s heart. |
| D．He did the first heart transplant operation for a heart patient. |
【推荐3】Have you heard of Creative Growth? The Oakland institution offers a professional studio space where adult artists with developmental, mental and physical disabilities can create work. It also provides gallery exhibitions, representation, guidance, a community of likeminded artists and a safe space in which to grow. The late Judith Scott, whose artwork lit up the Brooklyn Museum in a retrospective(回顾展)last year, was a Creative Growth artist who suffered from down syndrome(唐氏综合征)and hearing loss.
“It’s the best facility for local adult artists living with disabilities,” Jonah Olson, an artist and former teacher in Creative Growth’s printmaking studio said. “ The amount of work they produce and the quality of it are remarkable.”
Olson, who now lives in Los Angeles, is a member of the band L.A. Takedown. Along with his bandmates, Olson decided to use the opportunity to expose Southern California to lesser known contemporary outsider artists, living and working just a few hours up north.
“I’ve had an interest in outsider art for a long time,” Olson explained. “You make art as a child and the reasons for doing it now, in my case, are no different now from what they were then. It’ s very basic. Intrinsic (本质的). I think that’s what drew me to art made by people with developmental disabilities.”
The show, a survey of the space’s better-known and lesser-known names, loosely revolves(围绕) around themes of art and music. “Not a lot of the recent artwork specifically is about music, but we are grouping the work around the idea of being in the cities of L.A. and Oakland.” Olson said.
The artists of Creative Growth will be on view throughout the month of August, coupled with musical performances and film screenings organized by L.A. Takedown. All proceeds from the month will benefit the artists and space. The money will be used to improve the condition of the studio and for the development of the artists. “L.A. doesn’t really have a place like Creative Growth,” Olson said, discussing his hopes for the show.
1. What do we know about Creative Growth?| A．It was founded by Judith Scott. |
| B．It hosts exhibitions of famous artists’ works. |
| C．It offers professional service to physically disabled people. |
| D．It provides an artistic environment for disabled adult artists. |
| A．It is created by children. |
| B．It focuses on the art itself. |
| C．It is different from contemporary art. |
| D．It shows the feelings of disabled people. |
| A．Activities. | B．Work |
| C．Profits | D．Arrangement |
| A．An art show brings music along. |
| B．Outsider art challenges traditions. |
| C．Creative art helps people develop across many fields. |
| D．Artists with disabilities explore the potential of visual expression. |
【推荐1】When I was young, I loved visiting the library near my home. I read anything there, from comic books to classic novels. I made up stories, but I never thought about writing one down. They were usually daydreams, or continuations of books I had read, or stories about characters on television.
One day my son came to visit. He flipped (快速换台) the channels and stopped on a show. “This one’s cool,” he said. Being a good mother who considers good conversations with children important, I decided to watch the show.
I found “Highlander” in the listings, set the recorder, and watched an episode. The show raised questions about what the roles could and couldn’t do. So I visited CompuServe forums (论坛). I found one about the show and discovered the world of fan fiction (同人小说). Meanwhile, I discovered one author who caught my attention.
We got in touch via email, she connected me with some of her friends, and I did some beta reading for them. However, not being a writer didn’t mean I wasn’t a good reader. I definitely used all my English skills to polish their stories.
Then, one day, I decided to see what would happen if I tried to write a story. After I finished it, I posted it to one of the fan fiction forums. I got positive feedback (反馈), and like any good puppy, I kept trying to please them.
Eventually, I found another writing group called iVillage, and thought I’d try writing some original fiction, just to see if I could. I recalled an exercise, where people were supposed to write a “hook” in under 200 words. I sent mine in, and got lots of “Wow, what happens next?” comments. So, I kept writing. That was how I finished my first book.
I became a writer by mistake and I don’t think I’ll go back to needlepoint (刺绣).
1. What do we know about the author when she was young?| A．She showed a gift for writing. | B．She was very fond of reading. |
| C．She dreamed of becoming a writer. | D．She liked telling others stories she made up. |
| A．Her son strongly recommended it. |
| B．She regarded it as a source of inspiration. |
| C．She wanted to have something to talk about with her son. |
| D．Something funny about the show attracted her attention. |
| A．She raised many questions about the fan fiction. | B．She decided to write some new stories. |
| C．She tried to improve her English skills. | D．She came across a group of authors. |
| A．She has developed a new hobby. | B．She is too busy to do any needlework. |
| C．She doesn’t like needlepoint any more. | D．She wishes to have her own writing group. |
【推荐2】At the age 12 of my first year in America we rent a small house with a school nearby. I like my teachers, especially my grandmotherly fourth grade teacher, Miss Zoe. She said that I had a lovely name, Yo-lan-da. As the only immigrant from Cuba in my class, I was put in a special seat in the first row by the window, apart from the other children so that Miss Zoe could teach me without disturbing them.
Soon I picked up enough English to understand nuclear bomb was in the air. Miss Zoe explained to a wide-eyed class what would happen when a nuclear bomb was dropped. At school, we had air raid drills: a harsh bell would go off and we'd run into the school hall, fall to the floor, cover our heads with our coats, and imagine our hair falling out, the bones in our arms going soft. At home, Mami, my sisters and I prayed every day for world peace. Miss Zoe explained how it would happen. She drew a picture of a mushroom on the blackboard and dotted a rush of chalk marks for the dusty fallout that would kill us all
It grew cold in November and December. One morning as I sat at my desk looking out of the window, I saw dots in the air like the ones Miss Zoe had drawn on the blackboard, then lots and lots. I shrieked, "Bomb! Bomb!" Miss Zoe jumped up and hurried to my side. A few girls began to cry.
But then Miss Zoe's shocked look faded. "Why, Yolanda dear, that's snow!" She laughed. "Snow."
"Snow," I repeated. I looked out of the window carefully. All my life when I was in Cuba, I only heard about it. From my desk I watched the beautiful snow fall on the side walk and parked cars below. Each snowflake was different, Miss Zoe said, like a person, beautiful and special.
1. Why was the writer put in a special seat?| A．She hated talking with others. | B．She wanted to see snow. |
| C．Her teacher wanted to help her more. | D．Her parents could see her easily. |
| A．They would hurry home. | B．They would cry for their teachers. |
| C．They would stay under their desks. | D．They would run into the school hall. |
| A．Screamed. | B．Sang. | C．Inspired. | D．Wrote. |
| A．Snow never falls in New York. | B．Snow is not beautiful. |
| C．Miss Zoe never saw snow. | D．Snow hardly falls in Cuba. |
【推荐3】I had a lot of teachers that I loved. However, the teacher that I remember most was Mrs Green from Marianna, Florida. She was my 5th grade teacher. Since I was a new student, not only in her class, but at the school, she made my time there much more pleasant. I immediately began to like her. She was really funny and I knew that she liked me. She made learning fun. I remember one day for Christmas holidays, she taught us how to make ornaments from eggs. My parents still have some of the ornaments I made.
She made me leader for many group projects and that made me feel special. I think that would make any child feel special, especially when a child is in a new place with no friends. She made me want to be like that. Not to pick a "favourite" student, but to make every student feel that they are special. That year, I received the Presidential Academic Award. I was really proud and so were my parents.
Looking back at it, I think the reason why I did so well was that I felt important. Students do better when they feel like they are important or loved. Mrs Green always gets to know her students and forms personal relationships with them, which I will try to do some day. I just hope that there will be a student who finds me to their favourite teacher as I found her to be mine.
1. The author's life in the new school was very________.| A．happy | B．common | C．hard | D．boring |
| A．The author was once received by the president. |
| B．The author was Mrs Green's favourite student. |
| C．The author was the pride of her parents. |
| D．The author always felt lonely in Mrs Green's class. |
| A．Become a leader. | B．Become a teacher. |
| C．Become an artist. | D．Become the President. |
【推荐1】Lloyd Black decided to join the Anytime Fitness gym in Semmes, Alabama last year after he found himself struggling to accomplish simple household tasks. The 91-year-old man hoped that joining a gym might help him build strength and reduce his aches and pains. Over the past year, Black has been faithfully coming to the gym three times a week. His overalls (工装裤) really catch plenty of attention. He says that he prefers to wear overalls during his workouts because they are comfortable, and he has “trouble keeping his trousers up” other-wise.
When Black first joined Anytime Fitness, gym manager Ashley Seaman said he could barely last 10 minutes on the treadmill (跑步机) without becoming winded. Now, however, the senior can effortlessly do power walking for thirty minutes before moving on to his workout routine. As a means of praising Black for his advance, Seaman recently named Black “Mem-ber of the Month”.
He also takes time to help other seniors new to the gym learn how to use the weightlifting machines. “He's just a friendly soul. He will go to the other elderly members and show them how to use the machines,” Seaman shared in a post on the gym's Facebook page. “Someone like him always encourages others to keep it up and include fitness in their life,” the post reads. “Seeing him work out three times a week in his overalls brightens our day!”
As a result of his work at the gym, Black finds it easier to mow (割) the seven acres of grass at his house and tool around in his woodworking shop. He experiences less daily dis-comfort and moves more easily. He always says, “Age is just a number and it doesn't mean you can't get into the gym.”
1. What makes Black draw the attention of the gym members?| A．His too slow pace. | B．His unique clothes. |
| C．His difference in age. | D．His clinical symptoms. |
| A．His physical quality. |
| B．His operational skills. |
| C．His willingness to help others. |
| D．His great progress in workouts. |
| A．He's inspiring. | B．He's ambitious. |
| C．He's respectful. | D．He’s demanding. |
| A．It's never too late to take exercise. |
| B．The stronger the body, the more intelligent the brain. |
| C．Walk a hundred steps after dinner and live to ninety -nine. |
| D．Practise long-distance running daily, getting older and younger. |
【推荐2】Jane got some terrible illness when she was four. After years of treatment (治疗), she finally became healthy.
Two years ago, while Jane was watching the Olympics, a dream came into her sweet little head — to be a swimmer.
She practiced hard and finally joined the local swimming team. The team practice, however, was a difficult start. She coughed for her first few weeks. Hearing her coughing heavily one night, I decided to pull her from it all. But Jane woke me up early the next morning, wearing her swimsuit ready to go! I told her she shouldn’t swim after a whole night’s coughing, but she just refused to rest at home.
From that day on, Jane kept swimming and didn’t miss any practice. She wanted to be the best swimmer someday.
My girl was growing and changing right before my eyes into this strong-minded person. There are moments when she felt upset of course — often she would be the last swimmer in the race. It was difficult for Jane to accept that she wasn’t a winner ever. But that didn’t stop her from trying.
Then came the final awards ceremony (颁奖仪式) at the end of the year. Jane didn’t expect any award but was still there for her friends. As the ceremony was nearing the end, I suddenly heard the head coach (教练) saying loudly, “The highest honor (荣誉) goes to Jane!”
It was the greatest moment of my daughter’s life. With all she had been through in her ten years, this was the hour of true success.
1. From Paragraphs 1-3, we can NOT know that ________.| A．Jane began to have a dream to be a swimmer two years ago |
| B．Jane finally joined the swimming team by practicing hard |
| C．coughing didn’t stop Jane from practicing swimming |
| D．Jane still received the medical treatment during the team practice |
| A．she missed swimming practice | B．her mother didn’t go to watch her practice |
| C．she lost her race | D．she didn’t get any award |
| A．strong-minded and hard-working | B．careful and understanding |
| C．talented and serious | D．unlucky and unhealthy |
| A．Jane kept trying for her dream even when she had difficulty. |
| B．The author once wanted Jane to stop practicing swimming. |
| C．Jane finally became the best swimmer of the team. |
| D．The author might be very proud of her daughter at last. |
| A．The Last Swimmer | B．The Best Award | C．The Real Lose | D．A Girl’s Dream |
【推荐3】Since the age of three, Chelsie Hill had dreamed of becoming a dancer. That ambition nearly ended in 2010 when Hill was in a car accident, which put the 17-year-old high school senior in hospital for 51 days and left her paralyzed from the waist down. For most people, that would have destroyed any hope of a dancing career. But for Hill, it was the beginning. Far from being a barrier, her wheelchair encouraged her to fight. “I want to prove to everyone including myself that I’m still normal,” she said, “whatever normal means.”
Normal for her meant dancing, so Hill did it in her wheelchair together with her nondisabled highschool dance team. Half of her body was taken away from her, so she had to move it with her hands. It took much learning and patience.
After finishing high school, Hill wanted to expand her dance network to include women like her. She met people online who were fighting for the dream of dancing against various injuries, and invited them to dance with her. To reach more people in a larger city, Hill moved to Los Angeles in 2014 and formed a team of dancers with disabilities she called the Rollettes.
Every year Hill holds a dance camp called the Rollettes Experience for wheelchair users to help them bring out their acting talent. In 2019, 173 participants from ten countries attended. For many, it was the first time they’d felt they belonged. Edna Serrano said that being part of the Rollettes team gave her the courage to get behind the wheel of a car.“I didn’t know I could do so many things that my fellow teammates had taught me.” she said. “I didn’t know I could be beautiful. It’s so powerful to have my teammates in my life, because they’re my teachers.I have more confidence.”
Chelsie Hill achieved what many of us never will : her childhood dream. She has been chasing her dream in the wheelchair. She’s a dancer. The Rollettes have helped her find something else just as fulfilling.
1. What happened to Chelsie Hill in 2010?| A．She gave up her hope of dancing. |
| B．She suffered from a serious disease. |
| C．She realized her dream of becoming a dancer. |
| D．She was severely disabled due to a car accident. |
| A．To motivate more people like her. | B．To enlarge her dance business. |
| C．To seek more chances to dance. | D．To expand her social network. |
| A．She could help others. | B．She had more faith in herself. |
| C．She learned how to drive. | D．She became more beautiful than before. |
| A．Modest and professional. | B．Responsible and creative. |
| C．Determined and inspiring. | D．Cooperative and generous. |
